Shincheonji Church Challenges South Korean Government's Religious Remarks as Constitutional Violation

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has raised constitutional concerns over recent government remarks targeting the religious group as a social harm and detriment, arguing such actions violate Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea which guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state. The church expressed profound concern over unilateral interference by state power and urged the administration to uphold principles of fair, restrained, and constitutional governance. On January 12, President Lee Jae-myung stated during a meeting with religious leaders that societal harm caused by a specific religion had been neglected for too long, resulting in great damage. This was followed on January 13 by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok who utilized terms such as cult and heresy during a Cabinet meeting to order joint investigation and eradication measures.

These statements effectively draw conclusions before any formal investigation has begun, with rhetoric from the executive branch preemptively branding a specific religious group as a socially problematic entity that could compromise due process and investigative principles. While a government-mandated joint investigation is underway, the administration is dismantling constitutional boundaries by declaring the group a cult and harm as foregone conclusions. The church questions by what authority a secular government defines and judges religious doctrine, and on what legal basis the highest seat of power provides investigative guidelines that undermine judicial independence. The criteria for orthodoxy or heresy must never be based on political proximity or secular interests but must be rooted solely in the Holy Scriptures.

History repeats itself as two thousand years ago Jesus Christ was branded a heretic and persecuted by the religious establishment of his time, yet history has vindicated Jesus as the cornerstone of faith. Similarly, the church questions whether it is justifiable to label a religious body heretical based on congregation size or assertions of rival pastors rather than biblical content today. With due regard for the issue, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has repeatedly proposed transparent solutions through open public Bible examination grounded in Holy Scripture rather than emotion or political pressure, though to date there has been no fair response to this invitation. The church has never claimed infallibility and asks that any genuine doctrinal or social errors be identified with specificity, committing to correct any faults as consistently maintained.

Biblical teachings guide actions as members strive to become upright believers respected in communities, from voluntary service during national disasters to leading record-breaking blood drives during supply crises through initiatives like Shincheonji's community programs. Despite this, the government continues using abstract labels such as harm without presenting specific instances of verified damage. Furthermore, despite numerous past allegations, judicial processes have repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion. Recycling matters already settled by courts as fuel for political and media attacks leads spectators and all parties to question whether this reflects what the Republic of Korea stands for or marks departure from standards of a democratic state governed by rule of law.

The President and political establishment must move away from politics of scapegoating toward politics of unity serving all represented people. Attempts to use religious establishments to evade political risks or weaponize majority opinion to suppress minority religion serve neither national development nor democracy. The state has duty to ensure no citizen is ostracized or discriminated against based on faith. If one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be target tomorrow. Shincheonji Church of Jesus will stand firm in truth and faith within framework of law and order and will not be silenced, affirming constitutional right to freedom of religion. The church calls upon government to cease emotional branding, base judgments on facts and law, and return to fundamental duty of serving all people equally.